Cardoza also took a shot at the news media for what he characterized as a “general lack of attention to moderate members of Congress.”

The focus on partisan bickering in the press, he charged, has only exacerbated the polarization of the country and the dysfunction in Washington.

The 52-year-old Blue Dog charged that voters share the blame for the current political environment, arguing that “voters need to reward statesmanship” above showmanship.

“Too many Americans are losing faith in our government and our democracy,” he said. “For our country to change course, voters must aggressively punish extreme partisanship and rhetoric when they cast their ballots.”

Cardoza is the third Blue Dog Democrat to announce his retirement this year. Reps. Dan Boren (Okla.) and Mike Ross (Ark.) have also said they are not running for reelection.